A final fitting farewell to loving Don Lock

Procession of cyclists, including members of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club, accompany the coffin of great-grandfather Don Lock ahead of his funeral at Worthing Crematorium. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday August 12, 2015. Lock, a keen cyclist, was stabbed to death in an alleged road rage attack following a collision involving his car and another vehicle on the A24 at Findon, near Worthing, West Sussex, on July 16. See PA story FUNERAL Lock. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire FUNERAL_Lock_150456.JPG

Published:17:42Wednesday 12 August 2015

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HUNDREDS of cyclists took part in a procession for the funeral of a “loving and generous” great-grandfather who was stabbed to death in an alleged road rage attack.

An estimated 800 people then filled both chapels at Worthing Crematorium for the funeral of Don Lock yesterday.

Don was a wonderful, kind, loving generous husband, always supportive, always there for you, always there with a smile to welcome you.

Maureen Lock, widow

The 79-year-old keen cyclist died after the incident which followed a collision involving his car and another vehicle on the A24 at Findon on July 16.

The cyclists, lead by Mr Lock’s son, Andrew, passed by the scene where flowers remain in his memory.

On arrival at Worthing Crematorium, Andrew Lock quickly got changed from the team strip of Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club which both he and his father belonged, into a suit ready for the service.

The cyclists formed lines at the entrance to the chapel and created an arch with their front wheels through which Mr Lock’s wicker coffin, draped in the flag of his favourite football team, Brighton and Hove Albion, was carried.

The family and friends wore the dark blue, light blue and white colours of both the cycling club and the football club, of which he was a season ticket holder.

Paying tribute to her husband of 55 years, Mr Lock’s widow Maureen described him as a loving and generous man who always gave his support to his family and friends and to his cycling team co-members.

She said: “Don was a wonderful, kind, loving generous husband, always supportive, always there for you, always there with a smile to welcome you.

“I will miss him so much. I am so proud he has touched so many hearts. When Don was taken from us it was the most heart-breaking situation possible.

“The support we had from all around the UK and beyond has been phenomenal, thank you for your support.”

She described how her husband, who had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, had been a keen stamp collector and traveller who had visited many countries around the world, with Scotland remaining a favourite.

Andrew Lock described how his father had founded the East Grinstead cycling club before later joining the Worthing Excelsiors and had gone on to inspire him to take up cycling and he would be missed at the club’s events.

He said: “Somehow I think he will still be in the laybys and verges cheering us on.”

He added: “I think it is fair to say if Dad was not a man, he would like to be a bird but as a man he did the next best thing, he rode.”

Mr Lock finished his tribute by describing: “Dad cycling through the pearly gates, wearing the yellow jersey. You have won Dad.”

Don Lock’s daughter, Sandra, sobbed as she described how her father had been diagnosed, fought and beat prostate cancer during a four-year period.

She said: “Through those four years I knew you were scared and your hugs got longer and tighter as you thought each of them might be the last.

“We thought everything would be alright and it was – until the 16th of July when the bubble burst completely and my world was turned upside down and I won’t be able to feel your hugs again.

“A big piece of my heart went with you that day and my life will never be the same again without you in it.”

She added: “I am sure you will be checking out routes up there on your bike.”

She finished by saying: “I miss you Dad so much but I know you will be watching over me and keeping me safe.”

His grandchildren said: “Our grand-dad was a big kid at heart, he was so much fun to be around. We will miss you grand-dad dearly but will cherish his memory forever.”

The family released balloons in the garden of the crematorium following the service.

A keen traveller, the pensioner had been looking forward to going on a cruise in the near future with his wife before heading to Scotland for a holiday.

A tribute by the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club described Mr Lock as a “legend” and said he was “a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being for whom helping and encouraging the people around him came as second nature.

“Don was a truly talented rider holding many club records and trophies during his outstanding and long racing career, he was still winning events up to 2010.

“He won many local events and also featured at national level always proudly wearing the colours of his beloved Worthing Excelsior.”

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